Delete me: Installing RISC OS on the Raspberry Pi 4 (Rev #5, changes)
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Overview
This is the procedure to use if you want to run RISC OS 5.27 on the Pi 4B but need to construct the SD card image from Windows/macOS/Linux (i.e. you haven’t got another RISC OS machine).
Getting started
You will need the following items:
- A 2GB (or larger) MicroSD card
- The
RISC OS Pi RC16RISC OS Pi RC16downloadspageDownloads page - The latest Beta RPi ROM (BCM2835Dev), also from the from the Downloads page just mentioned.
Preparing the SD card
Unpack the RISC OS Pi RC16 archive and use a utility such as Win32DiskImager (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/macOS) to copy the image to the MicroSD card. This will create an SD card in a suitable format, but only the first 2GB of the card will be usable by RISC OS.
- Unpack the RISC OS Pi RC16 archive and use a utility such as Win32DiskImager (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/macOS) to copy the image to the MicroSD card. This will create an SD card in a suitable format, but only the first 2GB of the card will be usable by RISC OS.
- Unpack the BCM2835Dev archive. This will give you a file called RISCOS.IMG.
- Open the first (or only) partition on the MicroSD card. This should show the contents of the boot partition, including RISCOS.IMG. Delete this file, and replace it with the RISCOS.IMG file from the BCM2835Dev archive.
Card preparation is now complete. Remember to dismount the SD card before unplugging it.
Using the SD card in the Pi 4
You will need EITHER a USB-C hub with Power Delivery (this may only work with newer Pi 4 board revisions)1 OR an alternative method of powering the Pi 4 (e.g. via the GPIO pins) so that a conventional USB hub can be used.
- Connect a suitable power supply to the USB-C (power entry) port of the Pi 4.
- Connect a keyboard and mouse to the USB ports.
- Connect the HDMI cable to the left-hand HDMI port.
- Optional – Connect the Ethernet port to your broadband router (or equivalent network port with Internet access).
- Insert the SD card into the Pi 4 and power on. If all is well, the system will boot1 to the RISC OS desktop at the monitor’s native resolution (e.g. 1920×1080).
- Connect a USB hub to the USB-C (power entry) port. If the USB hub does not support Power Delivery, supply power to the Pi 4 by another means (e.g. via the GPIO pins).
- Connect a keyboard and mouse to your USB hub.
- Connect the HDMI cable to the left-hand HDMI port.
- Optional – Connect the Ethernet port to your broadband router (or equivalent network port with Internet access).
- Insert the SD card into the Pi 4 and power on. If all is well, the system will boot to the RISC OS desktop at the monitor’s native resolution (e.g. 1920×1080).
With some monitors (particularly 4K monitors) you may find that the desktop is displayed at a low resolution (e.g. 640×480). You can increase this to 1920×1080 via Configure > Screen in the usual way2.
Problems you may experience:1 It can take 30-40 seconds for the boot-up progress screen to appear. You should be at the RISC OS desktop some 50 seconds after powering-on (roughly twice as long as it takes on a Pi 3).
- A USB hub with Power Delivery may not work if you have an older Pi 4 (hardware revision 1.1 or 1.2)1. Power Delivery should work if you have hardware revision 1.4 (as used on the 8GB Pi 4).
- You may find that the desktop is displayed at a low resolution (e.g. 640×480). You can increase this to 1920×1080 via Configure > Screen in the usual way2.
1 If you have board revision 1.1 or 1.2, you may have to supply power by another means (e.g. via the GPIO pins).
2 If you are still experiencing problems with low screen resolution, have a look at the Video options page on the Raspberry Pi website.
Further information
See Using RISC OS on the Raspberry Pi for information applicable to all models of Raspberry Pi, including the Pi 4.
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